Taiwan has ordered three mainland Chinese women – all married to Taiwanese men – to leave the island for advocating cross-strait unification by force, sparking criticism that the move was a violation of free speech.
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Liu Zhenya, a mainland Chinese influencer, has been given until Tuesday to leave the island or face deportation for promoting Beijing’s military takeover of Taiwan on social media, according to Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA).
Two other mainland Chinese – one identified as Zhao Zhan, and the other by the nickname En Qi – have been ordered to leave by March 31 or face deportation for similar statements, NIA officials confirmed on Monday.
The decision comes as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government tightens its policies towards mainland China, designating Beijing as a “foreign hostile force” amid escalating cross-strait tensions.
The trio’s residency and work permits, along with their access to Taiwan’s public health insurance, were revoked, Taiwanese Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang told reporters on Monday.
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“After the administrative penalties were issued, we immediately notified the relevant authorities to revoke their permits,” she said.